JEFFERSON CITY -- A Republican lawmaker from Harrisonville wants all students in Missouri public schools, as well as those in introductory college courses, to be taught intelligent design alongside evolution in their science classes.

Rep. Rick Brattin said his bill is about teaching both sides of a debate in “an objective manner.” But his critics contend he’s just trying to inject religion in the classroom.

“Intelligent design is a religious philosophy, not a science,” said Josh Rosenau, programs and policy director for the National Center for Science Education.

Proponents of intelligent design believe the world is so complex that there had to be a designer. Most of them believe the designer is God. The leading proponents of intelligent design are associated with the Discovery Institute, a politically conservative think tank based in Seattle.